Peaky Blinders creator's eight word verdict on Stephen Graham

The creator of Peaky Blinders spoke about how it was working with the "fantastic" Stephen Graham.

The ECHO spoke to Steven Knight, creator of the Peaky Blinders, following the announcement of the Peaky Blinders stage show set to come to the Liverpool Empire Theatre next year. Steven spoke of how Liverpool's docks, specifically Stanley Dock used in the first season, inspired the show, as well as how good Stephen Graham was on set during the filming of the show.

Speaking about the Kirkby-born actor, known for his roles in Gangs of New York and This is England, as well as his time on Peaky Blinders in later seasons, Stephen said: "He is fantastic. He is just the best.

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"We seem to have been blessed to attract some of the best actors of our generation on Peaky Blinders. What you can imagine from those from this industry is that the very best people are the best to work with.

"He has such presence. When you see him on screen you're only watching him."

Speaking about the show, which will combine dance by the Rambert dance company with his own Shelby story lines, Steven said it first came about after the company featured on the show during season four, and he got talking to a director there about turning it into a "larger show."

He said: "Within the TV show music is always really important. Among the working class men at the time there was an absolute willingness to move into dance.

"That's what I've tried to bring to the stage with this show.

"The other thing I found incredible is the way Rambert depict violence and fights, which are so vicious and so well done."

The theatre show Peaky